Spread a Little Sunshine

As an educator I am constantly 'kidwatching', always on the lookout to catch a student in the act of doing something I can applaud. In pedagogical terms this means that once I discover and recognize the wonderful things my students are doing I can then build on it. Approaching each child from a place of positive feeling, with a warm smile, allows them to become a risk taker, to challenge themselves to push further when the terrain becomes more difficult and to ultimately succeed. 

Yesterday I discovered once again the power of a kind word and acknowledgment of effort. Only this time I was on the receiving end of this dynamic.  Paul at Cafe Philos honored me with The Sun Mountain Award which was "given for appreciation for your outstanding blog".  

Paul wrote some truly touching words which you can read here.  I am taking a chance that he would not mind if I share a bit on this blog. He writes: 

One of the beautiful things about Gary is the help and encouragement he gives his children to find their own gifts. I suppose much of that comes naturally to someone who has found his own bliss. Yet, everyone knows that some teachers have no sense or feel for it. Instead, they act like Procrustes by trying to make every child fit the same bed. Such teachers can cripple some children. What Gary does is radically different from them. Just as their approach can be crippling, his approach sets children on the course of being true to themselves. Profoundly true to themselves. To watch Gary in action is inspiring.

I would like to believe that all pedagogues share the same passion for teaching, with an innate sense of the privilege we are given to be entrusted with caring for and educating children, but that would be exceedingly naive I suppose. For my part I remain grateful that I have found a career that fulfills me so completely and which brings me joy each and every day.  (I know this may be coming across as a little much but it is honestly how I feel.)  

So, thanks Paul for doing a grown-up version of 'kidwatching' and bringing some positive energy my way.  I appreciate it.